
FLM 

2015 

040415 


^ BOSTON.- , 

ue U)olfe,Fi 5 ke v(j 


.. 

vv 







M, 

; 

mjr' 























Kv'» .. ft - ' 


A 

■r 






kSr- H «a 




■EL 

mnfo f/ 

I* MW HSf ML 

M 1 H:VM " 

v vl 


4 


K] 

Mj 1 

III 

J >- If 

f if 1 

l IT fl 

■ JPv 

1 m at^m v 




§?- i 

ft r 1 

r iffipyl ji 




uk ] 







HEROIC SERIES 











































































































































































































































































































THE HEROIC LIFE 

OF 

General George Washington 

First President of the United States 


ILLUSTRATED 

In Black and White and with Colored Plates 


BOSTON 

DeWOLFE, fiske & CO. 




THE LIBRARY OF 
CONGRESS, 
Two Copies Received 


JUN. 25 1902 

/Copyright entry 


^Icopyrigi 

CLASS^ XXa No 


k 


Copyright, 1902 
By DeWolfe, Fiske & Co. 
Boston 







George Washington 

( A/ter the painting by Stuart ) 


THE HEROIC LIFE OF 

GENERAL GEORGE WASHINGTON 


Every American boy and girl has heard of George Washington, who 
is called the “ Father of His Country,” because of the noble fight he made for 
the rights and liberties of the land he loved so well, and for the wise and 
patriotic counsels he gave the people. It should be the first study of the 
young American of to-day to make himself or herself thoroughly acquainted 
with the life and times of George Washington, of whom it may be truly said, 

3 














4 


THE HEROIC LIFE OF 


“ he was First in Peace, First in War, First in the Hearts of his Countrymen;’ 

It is more than one hundred and seventy years since our hero was born. 
At that time, George II reigned in England and all the land of America was 
under his rule. There were no States; the land was divided into thirteen 
Colonies, and that is why the people of America were called Colonials, and 
why the War of Independence is sometimes called the “Colonial War.”' The 
people of these thirteen Colonies were mostly Englishmen and their sons and 
daughters. There were a few Dutchmen, but they gradually became more or 
less English in their ways and manner of speaking. 

The Colonies were ruled by governors chosen and sent out from Eng¬ 
land by King George, and for many years they ruled wisely and well. 
But there came a time when the country had grown too strong to be held 
in leading strings, and when the Colonies had helped to settle the Indian War 
and driven the French out of Canada, they expected recognition from the 
British Government. Instead of this, England attempted to coerce them into 
paying large sums of money, but did not allow them any share in the repre¬ 
sentation of the country. Therefore the Colonists said, Taxation without 
representation is tyranny.” 

The young reader may think these particulars are unnecessary, and 
be in a hurry to hear about George Washington. All in good time. We wish 
you, boys and girls, to see the position of affairs at that period, and what led 
up to the great War of Independence, and how God in His Providence had 
prepared a man for the time and place, and that man George Washington. 

Of the thirteen Colonies, the greatest and richest and most populous was 
the Colony of Virginia, owing to the cultivation of large crops of tobacco, 
which was raised on great farms and sent to the English markets. These 
farms were called plantations and their owners were called planters. 

The father of George Washington, whose name was Augustine Washing¬ 
ton, owned a large plantation at Bridge’s Creek, on the Potomac, in West¬ 
moreland County, Va. Here he lived with his wife, Mary, in a comfortable, 
plain, old-fashioned Southern home with sloping roof, broad eaves, a big 
chimney, and a broad veranda in front. His tobacco farm, or plantation, 
stretched for more than a mile along the Potomac. 


GENERAL GEORGE WASHINGTON 


5 


Here, in the old farmhouse, on the 22d of February, 1732, George was 
born; but not a stick or stone is left of the dwelling. It was destroyed by 
fire, but in 1815 a memorial stone was placed on the site of the old house, on 



Young Washington Breaking the Colt 


which is inscribed: “ Here on the eleventh of February, 1732, George Wash¬ 
ington was born.” This needs an explanation. It is simple enough. The 
“ old style ” of reckoning is here used, and the “ new style ” is the present-day 
reckoning, which brings it to the 22d of February, the day observed as a 
national holiday with appropriate ceremonies in all our cities. 

George’s mother, Mary Washington, was his father’s second wife. His 
first wife died some two years before, when he married Mary Ball, of Lancaster 



6 


THE HEROIC LIFE OF 


County. She left two sons, Lawrence and Augustine. George was the first¬ 
born son by the second wife. 

After the house at Bridge’s Creek was destroyed by fire, George’s father 
moved into a farmhouse which stood on a bluff that overlooked the Rappa¬ 
hannock, with a piece of meadow land between the river and the house. The 
house was much the same kind of a structure as the one in which George was 
born, being a one and one-half story building with sloping roof and wide 
chimneys at each end. It contained six or seven large rooms, one of which 
was the “ best room,” as it was called; so you see George’s father was very 
comfortably off. 

When George was eight or nine years old he had a pony named Hero, 
which he learned to ride. He loved the free, open, out-of-door life, to roam 
the fields and swim and row in the river. This is the life that gives health 
and strength and fits the boy for the active life of the man. 

The story is told how George had cut down a favorite cherry tree, and his 
father in angry tones asked who had done it. George at once, in a brave, 
honest way, said, “ Father, I cannot tell a lie. I cut it down.” 

George was eleven years of age when his father died suddenly, and his 
mother, Mary Washington, had to manage the plantation, as well as her 
numerous family. She succeeded bravely. George loved her dearly, and not 
a little is due to her wise and noble teaching for the fitting of the boy to fill 
the high position to which he was destined. 

The sudden death of his father necessarily reduced the means of the family 
and George got what learning he could in the country school near his home. 
He was not over-studious; he was too fond of open-air sports, and was a big 
boy for his years. He was a good wrestler, the best runner, the best rider in 
that part, and he would not take a dare from any boy. An instance of this is 
told which is not so generally known as the anecdote of the “ cherry tree.” It 
is as follows: 

His mother had a sorrel colt that she thought very much of, because it 
came of splendid stock, and, if once trained, would be a fine and fast horse. 
But the colt was wild and vicious, and people said it could never be trained. 
One summer morning, young George, with three or four boys, was in the field 


GENERAL GEORGE WASHINGTON 


7 


looking at the colt, and when the boys said again that it could never be tamed 
George said: “ You help me get on his back and I’ll tame him.” 

After hard work they got a bridle-bit in the colt’s mouth and put young 
George on its back. Then began a fight. The colt reared and kicked and 
plunged, and tried to throw George off. But George stuck on, and finally con¬ 
quered the colt so that he drove it about the field. But in a last mad plunge to 
free itself from this determined boy on its back, the colt burst a blood-vessel 
and fell to the ground dead. 

Then the boys felt worried, you may be sure. But while they were won¬ 
dering what George’s mother would say, the boy went straight to the house, 
determined to tell the truth. 

“ Mother,” he said, “ your colt is dead.” 

“ Dead ! ” said his mother. “ Who killed it ? ” 

“ I did,” said George, and then he told her the whole story. 

His mother looked at him a moment, and then said: “ It is well, my son. 
I am sorry to lose the colt; it would have been a fine horse, but I am proud to 
know that my son never tries to put the blame of his acts upon others, and 
always speaks the truth.” 

So you see that early in his life this boy was one to be depended upon. 
This story, too, shows you that besides his being so truthful and honest, young 
George Washington did not give up trying to do a thing until he had succeeded. 
He was bound to tame that fierce sorrel colt, and he stuck to it until he had 
conquered the animal, instead of letting it conquer him. 

He loved the woods and he loved the water. He wanted to be a sailor, 
and talked it over with his mother, almost persuading her, when her brother, to 
whom she had written about young George’s great desire, wrote her in reply, 
“ Do not let him go to sea. Make him a tinker or a tailor or anything that will 
keep him at home.” The letter continued, “ Tell the boy not to be in too great 
a hurry to get rich. Tell him to take things easily, to be patient and careful, 
and he may be much better off in the end than if he should go to sea.” 

This decided the question, and George, who wa's then about fourteen years 
of age, readily yielded to his mother’s wish, and gave up -the idea of going to sea. 
He went to a Mr. Williams, who kept school near his birthplace at Bridge’s 


8 


THE HEROIC LIFE OF 


Creek, and from him he learned mathematics and the art of surveying, which, 
as you know, is the science of land measurement, so necessary and useful in a 
new country to ascertain the boundary lines. 

Meanwhile Lawrence Washington, who was twelve years older than 
George, had been to the wars, had fought under the gallant Admiral Vernon, 
and had helped whip the Spaniards at Carthagena and Porto Bello. He came 
back and married a young lady named Miss Fairfax, the daughter of Lord 
Fairfax, and built a place on the Potomac on a plantation left him by his father, 
naming it after his old commander, Mount Vernon. 

Mount Vernon was near the house of Lord Fairfax, a handsome residence 
for that period, called Belvoir, and George often rode over there to see George 
Fairfax, who was a few years older than himself. This young Fairfax was the 
son of Lord Fairfax, who was a descendant of the great Lord Fairfax who had 
fought under Cromwell against King Charles I, but afterwards helped the 
second Charles to get his crown again, for which service the King had given 
him great tracts of land in this rich and fertile Virginia. This, the present, 
Lord Fairfax left England through being disappointed in love and settled down 
here among the Virginia mountains. 

Lord Fairfax took great notice of George and employed him to measure 
and survey his land in the Shenandoah Valley. So at sixteen years of age he 
became a surveyor. There was his start in life — just what he understood and 
what he liked, a free open-air and adventurous life. 

George Fairfax accompanied young George Washington on his survey, and 
the two Georges were out among the hills during March and April, 1748. 
They had to face hardships and difficulties; they were in danger from Indians; 
they had to ford rivers, climb mountains and follow uncertain trails; but 
George did his work well and Lord Fairfax was so pleased with his report and 
with his survey that he got him appointed as a public surveyor of the Colony. 
For three years he held this position, measuring and laying out tracts on 
the Shenandoah Valley and along the Potomac, and so reliable were his 
measurements that they passed unquestioned from one owner to another. A 
celebrated lawyer declared that the only old-time surveys in Virginia that could 
be depended on as correct were those of George Washington. 


GENERAL GEORGE WASHINGTON 


9 


All this hard work and constant contact with men, the having to rely on 
himself and to form his own decisions, were preparing the man for the great 
future. 



Washington Crossing the Alleghany 


GEORGE AS A SOLDIER 

George had been associated with his brother Lawrence in many enter¬ 
prises. One of the chiefest was the Ohio Company, composed of capitalists in 
England and Virginia. 













IO 


THE HEROIC LIFE OF 


The Ohio Company sent out surveyors and began to build roads in their 
Western lands. They were met by the French, who then held Canada and 
had vast possessions in the South, and had built a chain of sixty forts to pro¬ 
tect the lands which they claimed, from Montreal to New Orleans. They said 
the English were trying to steal their land and they began to build a new 
series of forts from Erie, on Lake Erie, to south of the Ohio River. When 
the French began to talk war, Lawrence obtained from Dinwiddie, the Royal 
Governor, the appointment of his brother George to the command of the 
militia at Mount Vernon. 

George was now a well set up young man. Nearly six feet in height, 
strong, long armed, with a firm mouth, grayish-blue eyes, light brown hair and 
an open, manly face; though quiet and retiring he had a way with him that 
make people look up to and obey him. 

About this time George lost his brother Lawrence, who had never fully 
recovered from an attack of fever which he had when fighting the Spaniards. 
He went to Barbadoes for the sake of a warmer climate, but he came home 
from the trip only to die. This was a great trial to George, who dearly loved 
his brother. 

After his brother’s death and while George was settling his affairs at 
Mount Vernon, the French were getting very troublesome in the Ohio coun¬ 
try, stirring up the Indians, who were friendly to the English. Governor Din¬ 
widdie said, “We must send some one to talk with these Frenchmen, who are 
building forts on our land, interfering with the settlers, and stirring up the 
Indians. Whom shall we send? ” 

Lord Fairfax replied, “ I know just the man. You want a messenger who 
is young and strong and brave; one who knows the country, who can deal 
with the Indians and who will not be afraid to tell the Frenchmen just what is 
right. Send George Washington.” 

So young George was now appointed commissioner to the French posts. 
He was made major at the age of twenty-two. He set out from Virginia on 
October 30, 1753. 

The young commissioner and his men had a long and perilous journey. 
They travelled westward over mountains and across rivers until at last on the 


GENERAL GEORGE WASHINGTON 


11 

12th of December he arrived at his destination and presented his letters to the 
French commander, the Chevalier de St. Pierre. 

The Chevalier was very polite and pleasant, but that was all. He gave 
Washington a letter to Governor Dinwiddie. After resting a few days, George 
and his men on the 25th of December set their faces toward home, but in order 
to arrive sooner he separated himself from his men and dressed in Indian garb, 
accompanied only by one man named Christopher Gist, a hardy pioneer who 
had made several journeys for the Ohio Company, and was exceptionally faith¬ 
ful and knew the land well. He had also accompanied George on other occa¬ 
sions. At night they encamped in the woods, but as they came to trackless 
wilds of which neither George nor Gist knew anything, they engaged an Indian 
guide, who, however, proved treacherous and attempted to. shoot Washington. 
Gist would have put him to death on the spot but for Washington. Gist said 
as he, Washington, would not let him be killed, he must be got out of the way. 
He pretended therefore to believe that he had fired his gun as a signal to his 
people. The Indian chimed in with this theory and said he knew the way to 
his cabin. 

“Well, then,” said Gist, “you can go home and we will remain here for 
the night.” 

Gist and Washington then made a fire at a little distance, set their com¬ 
pass, and leaving their fire burning they pushed on as fast as possible all night. 

The next day they arrived at the banks of the Alleghany River, which, 
however, was so filled with broken ice that they had to improvise a raft as the 
only means of getting across. The rapid current forced the ice against a pole 
with which Washington was guiding the raft, so that he was thrown into the 
water. They were obliged to abandon the raft and got upon an island, where 
Gist was half frozen. In the morning they were able to get to the other bank 
on the floating ice. They got into comfortable quarters before night at the 
home of an Indian trader named Frazier. Here they stayed two or three days 
till they procured horses. They arrived at Gist’s house on the 2d of January, 
where Washington left him and pursued his journey alone, reaching Williams¬ 
burg, Va., on the 16th, and delivered the reply of the French commander to 
General Dinwiddie. 


12 


THE HEROIC LIFE OF 


This reply was, as might have been expected, a mere evasion, and Wash¬ 
ington’s observations on his journey convinced Governor Dinwiddie that the 
French intended a descent of the Ohio in the spring and a military occupation 
of the country. The Governor, therefore, at once proceeded to raise men to 
augment the number of his troops to three hundred, which were divided into six 
companies under the command of Colonel Fry, with Washington as second in 
command. Washington, with but two companies of about one hundred and 
fifty men, set out for the new fort which had been commenced and built accord¬ 
ing to Washington’s plan, but he found on his arrival that the French had, as 
usual, been too quick for the English and had with a thousand men with field 
pieces, in three hundred canoes, dropped down the river from Venango and 
appeared before the half-built fort and driven out the workmen. The ensign 
who was in command obtained permission for his men to take their working 
tools away with them. 

In this dilemma Washington wrote to Governor Dinwiddie for more men 
and guns and set out April 29th with one hundred and fifty men, to endeavor 
to break a road for Colonel Fry’s artillery. 

Every day came gloomy accounts from the Ohio, but Washington learned 
that the Indian half-king was on his way with fifty warriors. In the evening he 
was told that the French were crossing the fort about eighteen miles away. 
He therefore took up his position at a place called Great Meadows and cleared 
away the bushes and entrenched it. Leaving a guard with the ammunition and 
baggage he set out to win his Indian ally the half-king. They groped in single 
file through heavy rain and murky darkness. At sunrise they reached his camp 
and the chief received Washington with every demonstration of friendliness. 

The Indian scouts soon were on the trail of the French, whom they found 
encamped in a low bottom protected by rocks and trees. Washington planned 
an attack on the enemy by surprise, the half-king and his warriors on the left, 
and Washington, with his men, on the right. 

The French caught sight of them and a sharp firing ensued, and was kept 
up for fifteen minutes, when the French, having lost several men, gave way and 
ran. Twenty were captured and ten killed. The Indians would have massa¬ 
cred them, but Washington prevented them. Jumonville, the French com- 


GENERAL GEORGE WASHINGTON 


1 3 


mander, was killed. Washington lost but one killed and three wounded. 
Washington had been in the hottest of the fire, and his escape was miraculous. 
This was the first time he had been under fire. This battle was called the 
Battle of Great Meadows. 

This victory put great heart into the half-king and his warriors, “ for,” he 
said, “ their brothers the English had now begun in earnest.” 

But provisions began to run short in the camp, they had had no flour for six 
days and to make matters worse the half-king came into the camp with thirty 
or forty warriors with their wives and children. 

Then came the news of Colonel Fry’s death; so the command of the regi¬ 
ment devolved on Washington. The palisaded fort at Great Meadows was 
now completed and Washington appropriately named it Fort Necessity. The 
force was increased by the three hundred men who had been under Colonel 
Fry. 

Washington held out as long as he could, but the rain fell in torrents and 
the harassed and jaded men were half drowned in the trenches. At last Wash¬ 
ington gave in to the terms of the French, which were that they were to march 
out with the honors of war, and agreed not to build any more forts for one year. 

Notwithstanding this unfortunate result, the Virginia House of Burgesses 
appreciated all the difficulties of the position and a vote of thanks was tendered 
to Washington and his officers for their gallant defence. 

The half-king summed up the expedition very tersely: “ He was disgusted 
with the white man’s mode of warfare. The French were cowards, the English 
fools. Washington was a good man, but wanted experience.” 

The French, elated by their victory, Relaxed their vigilance at Fort 
Duquesne, and Governor Dinwiddie learned through a letter brought by an 
Indian from a man named Stobo, a prisoner at large in the fort, of the forces in 
the fort. The Governor accordingly wrote to Washington to march forthwith 
to Will’s Creek with such companies as were complete, but Washington saw 
the rashness of an attempt with a force so inferior. Before the troops could be 
collected and the munitions of war provided the season would be too far 
advanced. This representation of the case caused the rash project to be 
abandoned. 


THE HEROIC LIFE OF 


14 

Governor Dinwiddie, who had been troubled about the disputes, of the 
officers of the regular troops, who refused to recognize the rank of the militia 
officers, hit upon the plan of reducing them all to independent companies, so 
that no one would hold office above the rank of captain. This measure drove 
Washington out of the service, as he would not accept a lower commission 
than that under which his conduct had gained him a vote of thanks from the 
Legislature. 


A CAMPAIGN UNDER GENERAL BRADDOCK 

Washington after resigning his commission returned to Mount Vernon to 

O O 

engage in the care of his farm, but the service of his country soon recalled him 
to the field. 

The English Ministry had been aroused by the agressions and hostility of 
the French, and a plan of campaign for 1755 was formed by the Duke of Cum¬ 
berland, and by his influence Major-General Braddock was entrusted with the 
supreme command of all the forces in the Colonies. 

The din and stir of warlike preparations fired the martial blood of Wash¬ 
ington and he offered to join the expedition as a volunteer. General Braddock 
invited him to join his staff as one of his aides-de-camp, the General expressing 
in flattering terms the impression he had received of his military merits. 

General Braddock was a capable and brave officer, but unused to any but 
European warfare, and replied to all remonstrance that “ Americans had never 
seen a real battle,” and marched against the French and Indians as if on a 
parade. 

On the 10th of June Braddock set out for Fort Duquesne. The march 



GENERAL GEORGE WASHINGTON 


15 


over the mountains proved, as Washington had foretold, “a tremendous under¬ 
taking,” and the General, who had become aware of the difference, turned to 
Washington of his own accord. Washington modestly gave his advice, which 
was in part followed, but Braddock, who had a contempt for the Indians and 
scouts, rejected their aid. 



' V „ f ' >| \ 
* \ \ 


Washington Rallying Braddock’s Soldiers 


Washington had been sick of a fever and had been left behind, but imme¬ 
diately on his partial recovery he hastened to join the force. He reached the 
camp at about two miles from the Monongahela River and fifteen from Fort 
Duquesne. 

The route determined on was to cross the Monongahela by a ford opposite 
the camp, proceed along the west bank for about five miles, and then cross the 
river and march to the second ford. The advance was to consist of the regular 


1 6 


THE HEROIC LIFE OF 


troops, but Washington, who knew enough to doubt their efficiency in bush 
fighting, suggested the employment of the Virginia Rangers, who were used to 
the country, but the advice was indignantly rejected. 

The plan went on all right to the crossing of the second ford, where the 
General arranged the order of march, but when they reached a narrow part in 
the woods they were suddenly attacked. The engineers who preceded them to 
break out the road called out, “ French and the Indians,” and a murderous fire 
burst out from among the trees and a ravine on the right. 

The Virginia troops, accustomed to the Indian mode of fighting, took to 
the trees where they could pick off the Indians. Washington in vain urged 
the same plan for the regulars, but Braddock insisted on their forming in 
platoons, so that they were cut down by the fire from behind logs and trees as 
fast as they advanced. The Indians aimed at every one who appeared in com¬ 
mand. The slaughter of the officers was terrible. 

Washington distinguished himself throughout the disastrous day. His 
brother aides-de-camp were wounded early in the day, so the whole duty of con¬ 
veying the orders of the General devolved upon him. Two horses were shot 
under him; four bullets passed through his coat. In his ardor Washington 
sprang from his horse and tried to rally the men and even pointed a field piece 
with his own hand, but it was of no avail; the men could not be kept to their 
guns. 

Braddock still remained in the centre of the field in the desperate hope of 
retrieving the fortunes of the day. At length a bullet lodged in his lungs; he 
fell from his horse and was caught by Captain Stewart, of the Virginia Guards, 
and with difficulty was conveyed from the field. 

The rout was now complete. Baggage, stores, guns, all were abandoned. 
Officers and men were swept away in the wild rush, and the broken, shattered 
army crossed the Monongahela, a mere wreck of the brilliant host who 
advanced so proudly only so short a time before. Out of eighty-six officers 
twenty-six were killed and thirty-six wounded. 

General Braddock died on the night of the 13th at Great Meadows. He 
was buried at break of day. The chaplain having been wounded, Washington 
read the funeral service. 










I 


* 













































GENERAL GEORGE WASHINGTON 


17 


The news of the rout and retreat of the army had spread consternation 
throughout the Colony. Immediate incursions of the Indians and the French 
were feared. The defeat of Braddock had caused the failure of the entire plan 
of military operations; the expedition against Niagara was abandoned. Many 
of the troops assembled at Albany deserted. Shirley, by the end of August, 
was in command at Oswego, but the enterprise was deferred to the following 
year. 

The disasters to the army aroused the Burgesses, who voted forty thousand 
pounds and ordered the raising of one hundred thousand men and the com¬ 
mission of Commander-in-chief of all the forces raised or to be raised in the 
Colony. 

Washington’s mother wrote asking him “not to engage again in this 
perilous frontier war.” But he replied, “ If the command is pressed upon me 
by the general voice of the country ... it would reflect dishonor on me to 
refuse it.” 

There were several operations, but they were mostly failures. The French, 
under Montcalm, had invested Fort William Henry with eight thousand men, 
and after a heroic defence by Captain Munro with his little garrison, carried it, 
but it was not surrendered until his cannon were burst and his ammunition 
expended. Louisburg had been fortified and well defended, and the expedition 
against it had to be given up. The capture and demolition of Oswego had a 
disastrous effect; the frontiers of Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia were 
harassed by the frequent incursions of the French and Indians. 

Washington, worried by the small, petty meanness of Governor Dinwiddie 
and worn with his incessant toil, struggling with dysentery and fever, had to 
relinquish his post about the end of the year and retire to Mount Vernon. 


i8 


THE HEROIC LIFE OF 


A TURN OF THE TIDE 

Washington was now fast recovering his health. The general aspect 
of affairs was encouraging. William Pitt was now in control in Great Britain, 
and under his able and intrepid administration the war was carried on with 
great vigor. Lord Loudoun had been recalled, and the command devolved on 
Major-General Abercrombie. 

Washington saw his favorite measure at last adopted — the reduction of 
Fort Duquesne. He was still Commander-in-Chief of the Virginia troops. 
He gathered together his scattered men, about nineteen hundred, with some 
seven hundred Indians who joined his camp, lured by the prospect of a success¬ 
ful campaign; but his troops were in want of arms and field equipment and 
almost every other requisite. He had written repeatedly, but without avail; he 
now by order of Sir John St. Clair, the Quartermaster-General, repaired to 
Williamsburg to lay the case before the Council. It proved an eventful 
journey. In crossing a ferry of a branch of York River he met a Mr. Chamber- 
layne, who, with true Virginian hospitality, claimed him as his guest. 

One of the guests at Mr. Chamberlayne’s was a Mrs. Martha Custis, a 
widow with two young children and a large fortune. Washington’s heart was 
captured by surprise, the dinner was all too short, the horses ordered for the 
journey were countermanded, and it was not till the next morning that Wash¬ 
ington was again in the saddle en route for Williamsburg. Happily, Mrs. 
Custis resided at New Kent County, no great distance from that city, so he 
had frequent opportunities of visiting her in the intervals of official business. 
He pushed his assault with such vigor that the lady capitulated; they mutually 
plighted their troth and the marriage was to take place immediately after the 
surrender at Duquesne. 

As Washington intended to retire froiyi the army at the close of the 
campaign, he had himself proposed for Burgess of Frederick County, and though 


GENERAL GEORGE WASHINGTON 


19 



Washington Planting the British Flag at Fort Duquesne 


he refused to absent himself from his military duties, he was elected over three 
competitors by a large majority. 

On the 21 st of July tidings arrived of the brilliant success of the cam¬ 
paign under General Amherst and Admiral Boscawen, and this increased his 
impatience at the delays which attended his own expedition. 

At length a start was made, but Washington found that a new road was 











20 


THE HEROIC LIFE OF 


to be made instead of Braddock’s road. In spite of his remonstrance the new 
route was adopted and sixteen hundred men put to work on it. 

It was not till the 5th of November- that the whole army assembled at 
Loyal Hannan, and it was feared that the expedition would be delayed until 
next season, but Washington heard, through three men whom they had taken 
prisoners, of the state of the fort and determined to push forward. The march 
was resumed, but without tents or baggage and with only a light train of 
artillery. 

At length the fort was in sight; they advanced with every precaution, 
expecting a formidable defence from such a fortress, but the recent successes 
of the British forces in Canada, particularly the destruction of Fort Frontenac, 
had left the garrison without hope of reenforcements or supplies. The English 
troops were within one day’s march. The commander embarked his men at 
night, blew up the magazine, set fire to the fort and sailed down the Ohio by 
the light of the moon. On the 25th of November Washington marched in, 
and with his own hand planted the British flag on the still smoking ruins. 
The fort was put into a state of defence; the name was changed to Fort Pitt, 
in honor of the illustrious British minister. It afterwards became the site 
of the city of Pittsburgh, one of the busiest and most populous cities of the 
interior. With the taking of the fort ended the domination of the French 
on the Ohio. 

With this campaign ended the military career of Washington for the 
present. His great object being attained — the quiet and peace of his native 
province — he retired from the service amid the applause of his fellow-soldiers 
and the gratitude and admiration of his countrymen. 

Shortly after his return he married Mrs. Martha Custis on January 6 , 1759, 
at the White House, the bride’s residence, amid a joyous assemblage of friends 
and relatives, in good old Virginia style. 


GENERAL GEORGE WASHINGTON 


21 


DEATH OF WOLFE 

Before following Washington into the retirement of his home and domestic 
life we must briefly notice the events which closed the great struggle between 
England and France. 

Sir William Johnson succeeded in reducing the fort of Niagara. General 
Amherst, who had succeeded Abercrombie, with an overwhelming force had 
taken possession of Ticonderoga, while Montcalm was absent at Quebec, which 
was then threatened by Wolfe. 

The success at Ticonderoga and Crown Point and the capture of Fort 
Niagara fired Wolfe, and he determined never to return until successful. 

Rugged cliffs rose from the water’s edge. Above was the Plain of Abra¬ 
ham, by which the city might be reached on its weakest side. It was determined 
to make an attempt to reach the Plain by scaling the cliffs at night. On 
September 13th the troops passed the city in flat-bottomed boats undetected, 
landed in a cove, and with great difficulty scrambled up a rocky, craggy path, 
made prisoners of a sergeant’s guard at the summit, and by break of day were 
in possession of the Plain. 

Montcalm was thunderstruck. He hastened to the defence of the 
approaches to the city and a desperate battle ensued. Wolfe was wounded in 
the wrist; a second ball struck him in the breast. He said as he was borne to 
the rear, “ It is. all over with me.” Presently they cried, “ They run! They 
run ! See how they run !” 

“Who runs?” asked Wolfe eagerly, rousing from a lethargy into which 
he had fallen. 

“ The enemy, sir,” was the reply. “ They give way everywhere.” 

“ Now God be praised,” exclaimed the dying hero, “ I can die in peace,” 
and, turning upon his side, expired. 

The English had indeed obtained a complete victory. Amongst the 


22 


THE HEROIC LIFE OF 


enemy’s losses was that of their gallant leader, Montcalm. The spirit of the 
garrison was broken and on the 17th of September the city capitulated. 

The next year, the French, under De Levi, laid siege to Quebec, but the 
timely arrival of a British fleet obliged them to withdraw. The besiegers made 
a last stand at Montreal, but the city being invested with an overwhelming 
force defence was useless, and on September 8th Montreal surrendered, and with 
Montreal all Canada. The long struggle for dominion in Canada was ended. 


AT HOME AGAIN 

Washington, three months after his marriage, took his seat in the House 
of Burgesses, or Virginian Legislature, and was publicly thanked for his honor¬ 
able war record. Washington, taken by suprise, rose to reply, but hesitated and 
was evidently at a loss what to say, whereupon the Speaker of the House said, 
•“ Sit down, Mr. Washington. Your modesty equals your valor and surpasses 
the power of any language I possess.” 

The Mount Vernon home was beautifully situated on a swelling / height 
crowned with woods and commanding a magnificent view of the Potomac. 
Washington had by his marriage added considerably to his already large for¬ 
tune, as fortunes were counted in those days, and he lived in ample and digni¬ 
fied style, having a carriage and four, with black postilions, provided for Mrs. 
Washington. He always appeared on horseback and had a stable of thorough¬ 
breds. 

Washington delighted in the chase and was a bold and fearless rider; the 
waters of the Potomac afforded amusement in fishing and shooting, and he had 
all the aristocrat’s idea of game laws. There was one depredator who made 
havoc among the canvasback ducks, and had repeatedly been warned off. One 



GENERAL GEORGE WASHINGTON 


23 


day Washington was riding along the margin of the river when he heard the 
report of a gun; he spurred his horse through the bushes. The culprit was 
pushing off his canoe from the shore, and raised his gun with a threatening 
look, but Washington dashed into the river, pulled the canoe back to land, and 
gave him a lesson as “ to the rights of property ” which cured him of all inclina¬ 
tion for further trespass. 

Washington was unblessed with children, but those of Mrs. Washington 
received from him all parental care and affection. His social life and his public 
duties as judge of the County Court and member of the Legislature, and the 
care of his now large estate, gave ample employment for his active mind and 
body. So for fifteen years he lived as a responsible, well-to-do citizen-and coun¬ 
try gentleman, a leader in politics and church work, in generous deeds; a kind 
neighbor and a faithful friend. 


DISCONTENT IN THE COLONIES 

The Colonies had a strong and deep natural affection for the Mother 
Country, and had helped with men and money in the contest between France 
and England; but England had met them with oppression and arbitrary 
legislation, had shut the ports to foreign trade, and had prohibited all manu¬ 
factures which might interfere with those of England. But the last straw was 
the introduction into the English Parliament of a bill to raise revenue by taxa¬ 
tion in the Colonies. From the earliest period they had maintained that they 
could only be taxed by a legi-slature in which they were represented. 

The Stamp Act, as it was termed, became the subject of discussion in the 
Virginia House of Burgesses. On the 29th of May, 1764, Patrick Henry, a 
young lawyer, made a strong speech against the Stamp Act, and concluded, 
“ If this be treason, make the most of it.” 



24 


THE HEROIC LIFE OF 


But the Act was passed by the English Parliament, in spite of all protests, 
though the preparations for enforcing it were met everywhere with popular 
tumults, and no one ventured to carry it into execution. The merchants of 
New York, Boston, Philadelphia and other Colonies who had opposed the Act 
agreed not to import any more British manufactures t until the Act should be 
repealed. 

There were now more than two millions of people in the Colonies and the 
war times had made them better acquainted with each other. They were no 
longer thirteen separate Colonies, but united in action for the general good. 
They now united in their opposition to this obnoxious Stamp Act. 

So for twelve years the struggle went on, until at length the English tried 
to back up their threats by an armed force. The men of the Colonies-stood 
up with guns in their hands. A sharp fight took place on Lexington Common, 
and another on the old North Bridge at Concord. The War of the Revolu¬ 
tion had begun. 

In September, 1774, the Colonies sent representatives to Philadelphia, 
who met at the Carpenter’s Hall. This was the First Continental Congress. 
Washington was sent by Virginia; though he made no speeches, his influence 
and his wisdom in bringing the members into harmony were noticeable. The 
Congress remained in session fifty-one days and when it broke up Washington 
hastened to return to Mount Vernon, where he had left Mrs. Washington very 
lonesome from the recent death of her daughter and the absence of her son. 

' Washington had previously volunteered to raise a thousand men at his 
own cost and to take the command of the Virginia army. 

The Second General Congress was held at Philadelphia, opening its ses¬ 
sion May 10, 1775. In exercise of their federated powers they ordered the en¬ 
listment of troops, construction of forts and providing of military stores, ammu¬ 
nition, etc., and formally took over the troops at Boston. The difficult question 
as to who should be appointed commander-in-chief was settled by John Quincy 
Adams, a very able man from Massachusetts, advancing the name of Washing¬ 
ton, who was unanimously elected by ballot June 15, 1775. The new leader, 
now General Washington, rose in his place and thanked Congress for the high 
honor conferred upon him. He added, “ I beg it to be remembered by every 

























































«» 

























» 













\ 























V 




























I 


\ 























# 
































% 






GENERAL GEORGE WASHINGTON 


25 


gentleman in the room that I, this day, declare with the utmost sincerity, I do 
not think myself equal to the command I am honored with.” With patriotic 
generosity he declined to accept the salary attached to the command. 

He wrote to his wife, “ It is a trust too great for my capacity. It has been 
a kind of destiny that has thrown it upon me, and it was utterly out of my 
power to refuse it.” 

As the General rode on to Boston with a troop of cavalry to take the 
command, he heard of the Battle of Bunker Hill and the defeat and retreat of 
the Americans after a hard struggle, in which the English lost over one thou¬ 
sand men, many of them officers. The American loss was four hundred and 
fifty men killed and wounded. On his way to the camp the General was met 
by a courier on his way to Congress with the news. The General eagerly 
asked how the militia acted. When told how they stood their ground, bravely 
sustained the enemy’s fire and held their own until at close quarters, and 
then delivered it with deadly aim, and only retired when their ammunition 
was spent, the General seemed as if a load of care was lifted from him, and 
turning to the generals with him, said, “ Gentlemen, the liberties of the country 
are safe.” 

The General on his long ride from Philadelphia to Boston was met every¬ 
where by crowds of people who seemed to feel that in the new Commander-in- 
Chief their hopes had a sure foundation, and all wished him Godspeed. On 
Monday, July 2d, he arrived at Cambridge. On the Common, beneath an elm 
tree, he drew his sword and formally took over the command of the army, 
while the shouts of the multitude and the thundering of artillery gave notice 
to the beleagured enemy in Boston of his arrival. 

On the morning after, accompanied by General Lee, he went through the 
camp and he saw all he had to do to form it into a real army. They were 
undisciplined, sadly in want of clothing, without tents, and had to shelter them¬ 
selves as best they could. Washington wrote for supplies to the President of 
Congress and soon brought his army to a more perfect condition. He so 
harassed the British troops shut up in Boston that at length they were com¬ 
pelled to evacuate. On March 17, 1776, the British, on the agreement that 
they would not fife the city, were allowed to embark on their boats without 


26 


THE HEROIC LIFE OF 


molestation. The gates were thrown open and the Americans entered in 
triumph with drums beating and colors flying. Washington himself entered 
the city the next day and was received with acclamations. Congress ordered 
a gold medal to be struck commemorating the evacuation of Boston, bearing 
the efligy of Washington on it, and a vote of thanks was given him on the 
motion of John Quincy Adams. 

This was Washington’s first success, but he knew that his troops had yet 
to meet the enemy in the open field, and to do this with success they needed 
discipline and training. 

The great aim of the British now was to get possession of New York and 
the Hudson, and on the 29th of June several ships-of-war were seen in the 
Narrows. They made no attempt to ascend the Hudson, but anchored off 
Staten Island, where they landed their troops. 

While danger was gathering round New York the Congress at Philadel¬ 
phia discussed with closed doors what John Adams pronounced the greatest 
question ever debated in America, and as great as ever was or will be debated 
among men. The result was the Declaration of Independence, which was 
signed July 4, 1776. Washington hailed it with joy and at six o’clock in the 
evening caused it to be read at the head of each brigade. 


THE ARMY IN NEW YORK 

The British now had a wholesome regard for the Americans, and as they 
could not spare any of their own soldiers, they hired thirty thousand Hessians 
from the German State of Hesse. The first detachment sailed into New York 
Harbor, August, 1776, and joined the army of Sir William Howe, who now had 
an army of thirty thousand men, while Washington had but ten thousand and 
they but poorly equipped and drilled. The first battle took place at Brooklyn, 



GENERAL GEORGE WASHINGTON 


27 


L. I., on the 27th of August. Washington, who was anxiously watching, sup¬ 
posing that the attack would be made on New York, did not arrive until the 
Americans, outnumbered and caught between the Hessians and the British, 
were cut down and trampled under foot by the cavalry. It was a terrible 
defeat. 



Crossing the Delaware 


Washington, who with his officers was on a hill watching every 
ment, cried, “ Good God ! what brave fellows I must lose this day! ” 


move- 


28 


THE HEROIC LIFE OF 


The next day but a few skirmishes were attempted, and no decisive action.- 
Next morning, the 29th, a dense fog wrapped everything in impenetrable dark¬ 
ness, but the scouts reported an unusual movement among the British vessels 
and an attack by water was feared. 

An embarkation of the troops was at once determined on; the order was 
issued at noon and by eight o’clock at night all was in readiness, and the em¬ 
barkation was happily effected with the utmost promptitude and profound 
secrecy. By daybreak the whole of the troops, with military stores, guns, etc., 
were safe in the city, scarcely anything left behind but a few heavy pieces of 
artillery. Washington refused to leave until all the troops were embarked; 
then he left in the last boat. 

This extraordinary retreat, in which Washington succeeded in extricating 
his army from its perilous situation, added greatly to the reputation of the 
General. 

This was followed by the evacuation of New York, the retreat into Harlem, 
and from there to the Jerseys, and finally across the Delaware into Pennsyl¬ 
vania, everywhere followed and closely pressed by Howe’s immense army. 
Washington’s little remnant of an army did not muster more than three 
thousand men. The winter was a hard one, the American cause seemed well- 
nigh lost, and Lord Howe got more confident, and counted fully on the entire 
surrender by the new year. 

But he did not know Washington, who was never greater than in defeat, 
and who determined by a bold coup de main to attack the Hessians then at 
Trenton. At first the Hessians had inspired terror by their military discipline, 
but had become careless and unguarded, considering that the broken state of 
the Americans prevented any chance of an offensive enterprise. Cornwallis, 
too, considered his work done, and had obtained leave of absence, and was in 
New York intending to embark for England. 

Everything now was propitious for Washington’s concerted attack; he 
had now about six thousand men fit for service. He learned from an intercep¬ 
ted letter, what he had before suspected, that Lord Howe was only waiting for 
the river to be frozen over to cross on the ice and push on triumphantly to 
Philadelphia. 


GENERAL GEORGE WASHINGTON 


29 


Early on the evening of Christmas Day the troops began to cross. The 
weather was intensely cold and the drifting ice drove the boats out of their 
course. It was three o’clock before the artillery was landed. Trenton was 
nine miles distant, so that a surprise was out of the question, but Washington 
pushed on. It was not till eight o’clock when Washington’s column reached 
the village. A blinding snow-storm which had hindered the advance had also 
deadened the tread of the troops and the rumble of the artillery. As they came 
to the village Washington asked a man chopping wood, “ Which way is the 
Hessian picket?” “I don’t know,” was the surly reply. “You may tell,” said 
Captain Foster of the artillery, “for that is General Washington.” “God bless 
and prosper you,” said he. “ The picket is in that house and the sentry stands 
near that yew. ? ’ 

The artillery was rapidly unlimbered and the advance guard was ordered 
to dislodge the picket. “ Der Feind! Der Feind! Heraus ! Heraus!” (“ The 
enemy ! The enemy! Turn out! Turn out! ”) was now the cry. 

The report of guns told that Sullivan was at the lower end of the town. 
The outposts were driven in. The Hessian drums beat to arms. The whole 
place was in an uproar. 

Colonel Rahl, to whom flight from the rebels was intolerable, cried to his 
grenadiers, “ Forward! Forward! ” and led them bravely but rashly to the 
attack. He was fatally wounded by a ball from a musket, and fell from his 
horse. His men, struck with dismay at the loss of their leader, heedless of the 
orders of the second in command, grounded their arms and surrendered at dis¬ 
cretion. Some few escaped, but the prisoners taken were about one thousand. 

Washington, encumbered by his prisoners and knowing there was little 
chance of success owing to the inclemency of the season, recrossed the Dela¬ 
ware with his prisoners and the captured artillery. 

This bold and brilliant movement broke the long spell of failure and defeat, 
and put new courage into the half demoralized soldiers. Men everywhere were 
now eager to join. Washington had saved the American cause. From the 
Battle of Trenton dated the triumphant march to victory. 

Lord Howe was in winter quarters when the news of the surprise and 
capture of the Hessians at Trenton reached him. He stopped Lord Cornwallis 


30 


THE HEROIC LIFE OF 


from embarking for England,'and sent him in all haste to resume command in 
the Jerseys. 

Early on the morning of the 2d it was told Washington that Cornwallis 
was approaching with all his force, but it was nearly sunset before he entered 
Trenton with the head of his army. After repeated attempts to cross the 
bridge by the British, which were as often repulsed, both sides withdrew and lit 
their camp-fires for the night. 

Washington anxiously patrolled his camp and considered his desperate 
position. A narrow stream alone separated his small and inexperienced army 
from an enemy vastly superior in numbers, discipline and equipments. In this 
dark moment a bold plan suggested itself to the General. It was no less than 
to advance to Princeton, and by surprise seize those who were left there, 
capture or destroy the stores and push on to Brunswick; thus save the army 
and avoid the moral disaster of a defeat. 

A council of war was held, the plan was instantly adopted, and the 
baggage was silently removed to Burlington. To deceive the enemy a number 
of men were engaged in noisily digging trenches, the guards were relieved at 
the bridge and fords, the camp-fires were kept up and all the appearance of a 
camp maintained. 

In the dead of the night the army drew quietly out of camp, and began its 
rapid and silent march, and undetected by the enemy had advanced by sunrise 
to Princeton, where were stationed three regiments of the British under march¬ 
ing orders. Taken by surprise, they were driven away with the death of 
Colonel Mawhood, their leader. Washington did not attempt to pursue the 
fleeing enemy, but pushed on to Morristown. 

You may imagine the surprise and chagrin of the British commanders 
when expiring watch-fires told the tale of the fox’s escape, and the booming of 
cannon from Princeton alarmed Howe and Cornwallis for the safety of the 
stores at Brunswick. 

But the small army under Washington w r as unable to stay the great army 
of the British. The Battle of the Brandywine.ended in a retreat. At this time 
Captain Henry Lee, of Virginia, made his appearance. His popular name was 
Light-horse Harry, and his valiant exploits soon brought him into prominence. 


GENERAL GEORGE WASHINGTON 


3i 



Here, too, the Marquis de La Fayette was engaged. This battle decided the 
fate of Philadelphia, and on the 26th Lord Howe detached Cornwallis with a 
strong force and a brilliant staff to take formal possession of that city. 


La Fayette and Washington 


But there was some brightness in the condition of affairs, for Burgoyne’s 
army had been beaten at Saratoga, N. Y., and had surrendered on the 17th of 
October. The surrender of Burgoyne was followed by the evacuation of Fort 


















32 


THE HEROIC LIFE OF 


Independence, Ticonderoga. The fortresses in the highlands could not be 
maintained and were evacuated and destroyed. 

At the Battle of Germantown the Americans were compelled to retreat 
with nearly one thousand killed, wounded and taken prisoner. Washington 
was greatly chagrined, as he believed that had the Americans held out but a 
short time longer they would have held the field, as the tumult, disorder and 
almost despair in the British Army was scarcely to be paralleled. 

But though defeated, the audacity of the attempt on Germantown created 
an immense sensation in the country. 

It is impossible, boys and girls, in this short story of his life, to tell you of 
all the campaigns which were planned, in some of which he fought, which 
gradually and surely led to final victory; nor of the wise counsels and energetic 
work of the General. The country looked to him, and he exhausted his own 
funds, and borrowed on his own account, and induced rich people to loan 
money to the poor Colonies to pay the expense of the army. All this time he 
was laboring to turn the Continental militia into a regular army, and in spite of 
envy and jealousy of ambitious men in Congress and in the army, through 
retreat and disaster he kept the people together by his firmness and courage. 

It was by his advice and persistence that the French alliance was formed, 
which greatly helped the Americans by money and men, but still more by the 
moral influence. 

In this connection, boys and girls, you must always remember the name of 
the gallant young Marquis de La Fayette, who, as we have seen, fought in the 
Battle of Brandywine. He so sympathized with the struggle for freedom that 
he hired a vessel and came over to help the Americans. He and Washington 
became warm personal friends.' 

A letter from General Greene about this time gave Washington great grati¬ 
fication in his youthful friend the Marquis. Though not fully recovered from 
his wound at Brandywine, he had accompanied Greene, and had, with a small 
body of militia, attacked the enemy’s picket, killed about a score, wounded about 
as many, and taken a number of prisoners. Washington made use of this 
exploit to apply to Congress for a command for the Marquis, which was 
granted, and he was forthwith appointed to the command of a division. 









a 


/ 


'jt*b 


/r 


& 






-lv, 




ypg 










GENERAL GEORGE WASHINGTON 


33 


Washington was now in winter quarters at Valley Forge, where he was 
drilling his troops and preparing them for service on the break up of winter. 
In this he was greatly helped by Baron Steuben, who had arrived as a volun¬ 
teer, with letters from Franklin and others which at once procured him a distin¬ 
guished reception. His services were accepted with a vote of thanks, and he 
was ordered to join the army at Valley Forge. Washington saw in him one 
who would help him in his plans, and appointed him Inspector-General with 
two other inspectors under him. 

Early in June the British, who had been greatly reduced in numbers, but 
were still nearly equal to the Continentals, evacuated Philadelphia; Washington 
detached General Maxwell with a brigade to harass the enemy on the march, 
and breaking up his camp at Valley Forge, he pushed forward in pursuit of the 
enemy. 

A battle took place at Monmouth Court House, at which the Continentals 
were in full retreat before even the advance of the enemy, but were stopped by 
Washington. The troops were arranged in order of battle on an eminence, and 
the batteries under Lord Stirling opened a well sustained fire on the enemy, 
who in vain attempted to turn the left flank. 

At night the army lay on their arms on the field, ready to resume attack 
at daybreak. Washington lay on his cloak, at the foot of a tree with La Fay¬ 
ette, talking over the strange conduct of Lee, whose disorderly retreat had 
come so near being fatal to the army. 

At daybreak the drums beat the reveille , but to their surprise the enemy 
had disappeared, the camp was deserted, and four officers and about forty men, 
too badly wounded to be removed, were the sole occupants. 


34 


THE HEROIC LIFE OF 


ARRIVAL OF A FRENCH FLEET 

On July 13th Washington received a letter from Congress announcing the 
arrival of a French fleet consisting of twelve ships of the line and six frigates, 
with a land force of four thousand men, thus recognizing the Colonists as a 
new nation in the world. After an engagement at Rhode Island with Lord 
Howe’s fleet, in which both sustained severe damage, the French fleet sailed for 
Boston, which caused a feeling of exasperation throughout the camp. The 
departure of the fleet ended all thoughts of offensive operations, and General 
Sullivan broke up his camp and commenced the retreat that very night. At 
daybreak their retreat was discovered, but Sullivan had already taken post there 
on Bath Hill with his troops in order of battle, with strong works in their rear, 
and a redoubt in front of the right wing. 

It was now determined to abandon Rhode Island, but it would be a difficult 
operation, the sentries of each body being within four hundred yards of each 
other. The position on Bath Hill favored the work. Tents were pitched, 
earthworks thrown up as if the post was to be maintained. Meanwhile the 
heavy baggage was carried down the hill and ferried safely across the bay. As 
soon as it was dark the tents were struck, fires lighted at various points, the 
troops withdrawn, and by two o’clock in the morning the whole army had 
crossed unpetceived by the enemy; but just in time, for the very next day Sir 
Henry Clinton arrived with reenforcements and would effectually have cut off 
Sullivan’s retreat. 

Through all difficulties Washington still held the people together by his 
firmness and courage. The Battle of Germantown, though a defeat, showed 
the mettle of the Continentals even when opposed to all the well-drilled and 
fully equipped British soldiers. At Monmouth he turned a rout caused by the 
error, or worse, of Sir Henry Lee. Then he went into winter quarters at Valley 


GENERAL GEORGE WASHINGTON 


35 


Forge, where in spite of insufficient food and clothing caused by the continual 
bad administration of the commissariat, Washington drilled and exercised his 
men, trying to discipline them for a regular campaign. 



Then came the Battle 
of Stony Point, which we 
Stony Point was strongly 
had so well concealed their 
proach was not discovered 
The attack was made by 
site points, with fixed 
every obstacle. Major 
ramparts, and striking the 
fort is our own.” But 
cient troops could not 
uated the fort on the 
and stores and destroyed 


At Valley Forge 


of Saratoga; then the capture 
must tell you a little about, 
guarded, but the Americans 
movements that their ap- 
until close on the outworks, 
two columns, from two oppo- 
bayonets. They surmounted 
Fleury was the first over the 
British flag, shouted, “ The 
Washington with his insuffi- 
hope to hold it; so he evac- 
18th, removed the cannon 
the works. 


But the army in winter quarters at Morristown was still in great straits 
from defects in the quartermaster’s department. The winter set in early and 
was unusually severe. The transportation of supplies was obstructed and the 
magazines were empty for weeks at a time ; the troops were on half rations, 




36 


THE HEROIC LIFE OF 


and for want of proper clothing and blankets the poor soldiers were suffering 
with cold and hunger. Surely this was patriotism well deserving of its ultimate 
victory. 

At this gloomy crisis a little hope and encouragement came from the 
arrival of the young Marquis de La Fayette from France. Washington folded 
him in his embrace. La Fayette’s efforts in France had been successful, and 
he announced the speedy arrival of a fleet under Chevalier de Ternay, with six 
thousand men, under the command of the Count de Rochambeau. The fleet 
on the ioth of July arrived at Newport, R. I. 

Washington now hoped to carry out his long cherished plan of a combined 
attack by the French and his own troops on New York, but the arrival of the 
British Admiral Graves with six ships of the line forced the postponement of 
the design. 

Then came the terrible reverse at the Battle of Camden; then that dark 
episode in our Revolutionary history, the treason of Arnold, and the trial and 
execution of Andre. The traitor escaped. Arnold’s family, with two aides-de- 
camp, were at breakfast, when a horseman brought a note for him, telling of 
the capture of Andr6. Controlling his dismay he signified to Mrs. Arnold that 
he wished to speak to her; he told her of his ruin and that he must fly instantly 
for his life. Overcome by the shock she fell unconscious to the floor. With¬ 
out waiting an instant he mounted the messenger’s horse, gallopedAo the land¬ 
ing place and threw himself into his six-oared boat and made all haste for 
Teller’s Point, thus making good his escape. 

The stress of the war, as Washington had apprehended, was now shifted to 
the south, then came the Battle of the Cowpens and the Battle of Guildford 
Court House. This last affair, though a victory for the British, was almost as 
ruinous as a defeat, as their loss could not be supplied; of their small force more 
than one-fourth were killed or wounded. 

Washington set out for Newport to cooperate with the French com¬ 
manders, who were now determined to follow the plan suggested by Washing¬ 
ton and operate in the Chesapeake with their whole fleet and a detachment of 
the land troops. 

Washington arrived on the 6th of March and found the French" fleet ready 


GENERAL GEORGE WASHINGTON 


37 


for sea. The troops, eleven hundred men under General the Baron de 
Viomenil, had already embarked. He went immediately on board the Ad¬ 
miral’s ship and had an interview with the Count de Rochambeau. Then the 
whole fleet set out that evening at sunset for Chesapeake Bay. The principal 
object was, if possible,' to capture Arnold. 

An engagement took place between the French and the British, who had 
followed in quick pursuit. The French line was broken and gave way, but 
formed again at some distance and next day returned to Newport. The 
British, though severely handled, had cut off the French from the Chesapeake. 
Arnold was saved. 

Washington still wished to make his concerted attack on New York, and 
made many feints, but all such attempts were postponed, and the whole of the 
French Army and as many of the Americans as could be spared were moved 
into Virginia, but the operations were still carried on as if for an attack on New 
York. An extensive encampment was marked out in the Jerseys, and ovens 
erected for the baking of bread. 

Before the decampment Washington sent pioneers to clear the roads 
towards the King’s Bridge, as if the posts recently reconnoitred were to be at¬ 
tacked. His troops were paraded facing that direction. Suddenly they were 
ordered to face about, and were marched along the Hudson. 

De Rochambeau broke camp and took the road by White Plains to the 
same point. Both armies were in complete ignorance of their destination until 
they had passed all the enemy’s posts and were rapidly marching to Philadel¬ 
phia. 

Washington, with his troops, had reached the Delaware before the British 
were aware of their destination, and were too late to oppose their march. As a 
counterplot possibly to draw off part of the American troops they sent Arnold 
with a force to attack New London, Conn. The expedition was to ravage and 
destroy, as if to fill up the full measure of his infamy by carrying fire and sword 
into the very State of his birth. 

Lord Cornwallis had determined to establish a permanent post at York- 
town. It was a small place on a projecting point on the south side of York 
River. Cornwallis proceeded to strongly fortify his position, calculating to 


38 


THE HEROIC LI EE OF 


have it completed by the ist of October. He felt so secure that he offered Sir 
Henry Clinton to detach a thousand or twelve hundred men to strengthen New 
York against the apprehended attack of the combined armies. 

On September 30th, Washington arrived at Philadelphia and was hospi¬ 
tably entertained by Mr. Morris, the patriotic financier. The greatest difficulty 
was the want of funds. His troops had not received their pay for some time. 
In this emergency Count de Rochambeau accommodated him with twenty thou¬ 
sand dollars, and shortly after the French King granted him a subsidy of six 
million livres. 

Washington left Philadelphia September 5th. He was. met by a dispatch 
announcing the arrival of the Count de Grasse in the Chesapeake with twenty- 
eight ships of the line. He immediately went on to Count de Rochambeau 
and wrote to Count de Grasse arranging a plan of cooperation to block up 
Cornwallis in Yorktown. 

Leaving Philadelphia he hastened on to Baltimore, and from there to 
Mount Vernon on the 9th, accompanied only by Colonel Humphrey. He 
was joined by Count de Rochambeau the following evening. Six years of 
wearing toil had elapsed since Washington was last under its roof. On the 
12th he tore himself away to join La Fayette. 

Lord Cornwallis had been completely aroused from his fancied security 
by the arrival of Count de Grasse’s fleet. Awakened by his danger Cornwallis, 
as Washington had foreseen, attempted a retreat to the Carolinas, but it was 
too late. The French ships blocked the York River; the James River was 
filled with armed vessels covering the transportation of the troops ; Williams¬ 
burg was too strong to be taken. On the 25th preparations were made for 
a decisive blow. 

On the morning of the 28th of September the combined armies marched 
from Williamsburg to Yorktown, arriving at night within two miles of it and 
driving in the enemy. By October ist the besiegers’ line extended in a 
semicircle, each end resting on the river, so that the investment by land was 
complete, while the Count de Grasse in the Lynn Haven Bay kept off all 
assistance by water. 

At this momentous time, Washington received despatches from Greene, 


GENERAL GEORGE WASHINGTON 39 

his faithful coadjutor, giving him important news of his operations in the 
South. 

By the afternoon of the 9th three batteries were ready to open on the 
town. General Washington put the match to the first gun. A furious 
cannonade immediately followed and Lord Cornwallis received his first saluta¬ 
tion from the combined forces. 

About eight o’clock in the evening rockets were sent up for simultaneous 
attack. Hamilton, to his great joy, led the advance of the Americans. The 
men, without waiting for the sappers to destroy the abatis, pulled them down 
and scrambled over like rough bush fighters. Hamilton was the first to mount 
the parapet. His men followed. Not a musket was fired. The redoubt was 
carried at the point of the bayonet. 

The other redoubt was taken by the French. Lord Cornwallis ordered 
an attack on the two batteries in the greatest state of forwardness. The 
redoubts were forced in gallant style and the guns hastily spiked, but the 
support came up in time and the British were forced to retreat. 

The hopes of Lord Cornwallis were now at an end. The terms of 
surrender were agreed on and Washington in general orders congratulated the 
allied armies on this great victory. 

Cornwallis felt deeply this humiliation, which closed his career. The 
whole country was elated over the news that Cornwallis was taken. In 
London, when Lord North heard the news, he exclaimed as if he had received 
a bullet in the breast, “ O God! All is over! ” 

And practically the war was over as well. In spite of all the difficulties 
attending a war on such a scale, with such a large discrepancy in every way 
between the two armies, the Americans had won their rights. On the 23d of 
March La Fayette brought the news to the President of Congress, and hostil¬ 
ities were immediately suspended on both sides. 

Eight years of hardships and dangers had welded the hearts of the patriot 
officers together, and it was hard to part. To perpetuate this friendship they 
formed a society composed of the officers of the army, to be called the 
“ Cincinnati,” after Cincinnatus, who after the war retired to his farm. Wash¬ 
ington was unanimously chosen as its president. 


40 


THE HEROIC LIFE OF 


He then prepared to take his leave of the army. His old companions in 
arms were affected even to tears. Washington himself betrayed an unusual 
agitation. Filling a glass of wine, he said, “ With a heart full of love and 
gratitude I now take leave of you, most devoutly wishing that your latter 
days may be as prosperous and happy as your former ones were honorable.” 
Having drunk his farewell benediction he added with emotion, “ I cannot come 
to each of you to take my leave, but I shall be obliged if each of you will 
come and take me by the hand.” 

Silently each of the veterans grasped his hand and gave him a brother’s 
embrace. Silent and solemn they followed their loved commander as he left 
the room, to take the ferry at Whitehall. As he entered his barge he waved 
them a silent adieu. They replied in the same manner, and watched the barge 
until the point of the Battery shut it from view. 

General Washington now looked forward to rest and domestic life, and 
determined, Cincinnatus like, to resign his commission and retire to Mount 
Vernon. 

The Congress * then in session at Annapolis appointed the 23d for that 
purpose. The floor of the hall and the galleries were crowded with ladies and 
public functionaries and general officers. Washington took his leave in a most 
affecting manner, resigning his commission into the hands of the President. 

The President bore testimony to his great patriotism, saying, “ You retire 
with the blessings of your fellow-citizens; but the glory of your virtues will 
not terminate with your military command — it will continue to animate remotest 
ages.” 

The next day he left for Mount Vernon, where he arrived on Christmas 
Eve. “ The scene is at last closed,” he wrote to Governor Clinton. “ I feel 
myself relieved of a load of public care. I hope to spend the remainder of my 
days in cultivating the affections of good men and in the practice of the 
American virtues.” 


GENERAL GEORGE WASHINGTON 


4i 


ELECTED PRESIDENT 


From his quiet home at Mount Vernon, though ostensibly withdrawn from 
public affairs, he watched them with intense solicitude. Upon his retirement 
he had written to the States advocating “ an indissoluble union of the States 
under one federal head, and a perfect acquiescence of the several States in the 
full exercise of the prerogative vested in such a head by the Constitution ”; 



Washington’s Entrance into Philadelphia 

and he continued to write, urging and using his 
great influence to promote this end, as he saw in 
it the only way to solidify the great political con¬ 
federacy. His letters were widely effective; the 
idea of federation ripened into a plan of a con¬ 
vention of all the States to meet in Philadelphia 
the second Monday in May. At its assembling Washington was chosen unani¬ 
mously as President. 

You all know what the result was — the forming of a Constitution which, 
with some amendments, exists to-day. George Washington’s name, the first of 
all the names signed to it, went far to satisfy the people as to its. ultimate 
adoption. The Constitution was at length formally ratified and the first elec¬ 
tion under its provisions took place. The votes of the Electoral College early 
in April were found to be unanimous in favor of Washington. On the 14th of 
April he received notice of his election from the President of Congress and 
immediately set out for New York, at that time the seat of government. 


42 


THE HEROIC LIFE OF 


His progress was one continued ovation; bells ringing, cannons firing, and 
the people turned out in their might to bless and welcome him. At Chester 
preparations were made for a public entrance into Philadelphia. A superb 
white horse was brought out for Washington to ride; a grand procession was 
formed and under triumphal arches he entered Philadelphia; at Newton the 
ladies had caused a triumphal arch to be erected, entwined with laurel, bearing 
the inscription, “ The defender of the mothers will be the protector of the 
daughters.” 

The inauguration took place on the 30th of April, and General Washing¬ 
ton took the oath as President of the United States of America at the Federal 
Hall, on Wall Street. 

The oath was administered by the Chancellor of the State of New York 
in a balcony in front of the Senate Chamber. Washington was overcome by 
the demonstration of public affection, and the people were hushed into pro¬ 
found silence. 

The oath was read slowly and deliberately. Washington, laying his hand 
on the open Bible, said solemnly, “ I swear; so help me God! ” The Chan¬ 
cellor waved his hand and exclaimed, “ Long live George Washington, Presi¬ 
dent of the United States.” A flag was displayed at the cupola, on which 
signal there was a discharge of artillery on the Battery u The bells of the city 
rung out a joyful peal and the vast multitude rent the air with their acclamations. 

Washington, in his modesty, wrote to a friend, “ I greatly fear that my 
countrymen will expect too much from me.” 


WASHINGTON AS PRESIDENT 

The eyes of the world were upon Washington. Would the laurels won in 
the field flourish in the Government? Abroad were difficulties, at home con¬ 
tentions and all the perplexities of a new and untried government, which was at 
best only in its experimental form. 



GENERAL GEORGE WASHINGTON 


43 






The moment the inauguration was over 
Washington found he was no longer master 
of himself or of his home, and to protect himself 
from the multitude of callers he had to fix certain 
days for receptions. 

At this time he had a serious illness, which caused g 
alarm throughout the States. He was ill a long time and his 
recovery was slow. While in a state of convalescence he received 
intelligence of the death of his mother at Fredericksburg, in Virginia, 
on the 25th of August, at the age of eighty-two years. 




























44 


THE HEROIC LIFE OF 


Hitherto the Government had not been properly organized, but on the 
ioth of September it instituted a Department of Public Affairs, a Treasury 
Department and a War Department. General Knox was appointed to the 
War Department, the duties of which office he had hitherto discharged. 
Alexander Hamilton was appointed to the Treasury. Washington wrote also 
to Thomas Jefferson, offering him the Department of State. 

At this time Washington made a tour throughout the Eastern States, with 
the view of observing the country and of reestablishing his health. Every¬ 
where he went all labor was suspended, bells were rung and guns fired, there 
were civic processions and military parades, and the people hailed him as the 
“ Father of his Country.” 

Washington, heart-weary of the political strifes and disagreements which 
disturbed the country, had determined not to accept -a reelection, but all his 
friends urged it upon him as a duty. Jefferson wrote him that there was a 
determined purpose in many, by the funding system and other plans, to prepare 
the way for a change from the republican form of government to that of a mon¬ 
archy, of which the English Constitution was to be the model. He continued, 
“The confidence of the whole Union is centred in you, and your being at the 
helm would be an answer to every argument which might be used from any 
quarter to lead the people into violence or secession.” 


WASHINGTON’S SECOND TERM 

After a long and painful conflict of feelings Washington consented to be 
a candidate for reelection, and the vote for him in the Electoral College was 
unanimous. John Adams was reelected for the Vice-Presidency by twenty- 
seven electoral votes. 



GENERAL GEORGE WASHINGTON 


45 


Washington’s second term commenced under gloomy auspices — a divided 
Cabinet, a suspicion of monarchical tendencies, and a threatened abatement of 
popularity. 

It was a portentous period in the history of the world. News had come of 
the Revolution in France, and the beheading of Louis XVI. Early in April 
intelligence came that France had declared war against England. 

In this juncture public opinion was for helping France, and but for the 
calm, controlling wisdom of Washington America would have been involved; 
but he declared the policy of neutrality, and issued a proclamation against pri¬ 
vateers and against any dealings in contraband of war with either belligerent. 

This policy of neutrality seemed likely to cause him temporary loss of 
popularity and influence. The proclamation was stigmatized as a royal edict, 
a daring assumption of power and an open manifestation of partiality for Eng¬ 
land and hostility to France. But after events proved the true wisdom of 
Washington’s decision. 

There were also troubles with the Indians in Ohio, who began to annoy the 
settlers, and Washington sent soldiers to punish them, but they were beaten 
and had to return. Then he sent an army under General St. Clair, giving him 
the advice “ not to be surprised”; but St. Clair was-surprised and badly 
defeated. Then he sent General Wayne, who soon defeated and quieted the 
Indians. 

Then there were troubles with England about impressing American sailors, 
and he sent Judge Jay to that country, who made a treaty, called Jay’s Treaty, 
with England, which caused dissatisfaction in the minds of many who could not 
get over their hatred to the “ Mother Country.” 

Through all these troubles Washington went on doing his duty as he had 
done all through his career. 

Election time came again and every pressure was put on him to stand for a 
third time, but he refused and issued his farewell address, and by this act he 
made it the unwritten law that there should be no third term for a President of 
the United States. 


46 


THE HEROIC LIFE OF 


WASHINGTON’S RETIREMENT AND DEATH 

Washington now returned to Mount Vernon, accompanied by Mrs. Wash¬ 
ington and her granddaughter, Miss Molly Custis, and George Washington 
La Fayette. 

The fate of La Fayette, who had been thrown into prison, awakened Wash¬ 
ington’s earnest solicitude, but he was relieved by letters to young La Fayette that 
his father was released. The Directory finding that the United States would not 



Room wherf, Washington Died 


help them in their war with England, enacted laws which struck at a vital 
point in their commerce, as at that time they were the great neutral carriers. 
The spirit of the nation was aroused and war with France seemed inevitable, 
and the President was authorized to raise ten thousand men, and the Senate 
nominated Washington as Commander-in-Chief. He accepted it with the 
greatest reluctance. This step had the effect of bringing France to terms, who 
agreed to receive a plenipotentiary from the United States, and so war was 
happily averted. 





GENERAL GEORGE WASHINGTON 


47 


But the end was at hand. Washington was now sixty-eight years of age 
and pursued his active life. He went his daily rounds on horseback over his 
large estate. 

On the nth of December he was caught in a snow-storm and came home 
wet and chilled. He complained of a sore throat, but nothing serious was 
apprehended. He went to bed as usual, but the next morning he experienced 
great difficulty in breathing. Dr. Craik, his old friend and physician, was sent 
for, and then Drs. Dick and Brown. Everything was done that could be 
done, but the next day, between five and six, he said, “ I feel I am going. I 
thank you for your attentions, but I pray you to take no more trouble about me. 
Let me go off quietly. I cannot last long.” 

Between ten and eleven o’clock his countenance changed. Dr. Craik put 
his hands over his eyes and without a struggle or a sigh the General expired. 
The funeral took place on the 18th of December, attended by the whole neigh¬ 
borhood, the corporation of Alexandria, with the militia and Freemasons of the 
place and eleven pieces of cannon. A schooner stationed off Mount Vernon 
fired minute guns. The procession passed out through the gate down to the 
vault. The troops, horse and foot, formed the escort; then came four of the 
clergy; then the General’s horse, with his saddle, holsters and pistols, led by 
two grooms in black. The body was borne by the Freemasons and officers. 
The Rev. Mr. Davis read the funeral service, after which the Masons performed 
their ceremonies. 

A deep sorrow spread over the nation on hearing that Washington was no 
more.- Congress, which was in session, immediately adjourned for the day. 
The next morning it was resolved that the Speaker’s chair be shrouded with 
black, that the members and officers of the House wear black during the 
session, and that a joint committee of both Houses be appointed to consider on 
the most suitable manner of doing honor to the memory of the man, “ first in 
war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen.” 

Public testimonials of grief and reverence were displayed in every part of 
the Union. Nor were these sentiments confined to the United States. When 
the news of Washington’s death reached England, the British fleet of nearly 
sixty sail of the line, lying at Torbay, lowered their flags half-mast, thus honor- 


48 


THE HEROIC LIFE OF WASHINGTON 


ing a foeman she respected; and Bonaparte, First Consul of France, on an¬ 
nouncing his death to the army, ordered that black crape should be suspended 
from all the standards and flags throughout the public service for ten days. 

His will, which he had handed to Mrs. Washington shortly before his 
death, directed the emancipation of his slaves on the decease of his wife, and 
made provision for any who might be unable from age or bodily infirmities to 
support themselves, and he expressly forbade, under any pretence whatsoever, 
the sale or deportation of any of his slaves born in Virginia. 

The character of Washington may have wanted some of the meteor-like 
brilliance, some of the poetic or romantic side of life which might dazzle and 
delight the people, but it possessed a rarer union of virtues than perhaps ever 
fell to the lot of one man. 

“It seems as if Providence had endowed him in a preeminent degree with 
the qualities requisite to fit him for the high destiny he was called upon to 
fulfil — to conduct a momentous revolution which was to form an era in the 
history of the world, and to inaugurate a new and untried government, which, 
to use his own words, was to lay the foundation ‘ for the enjoyment of much 
purer civil liberty, and greater public happiness, than have hitherto been the 
portion of mankind.’ ” 



JUN 25 1902 
















































* 








•- 






4 * 



























. * 














t- 


























































; 












































































































































































.. - 















■ 


. : * 






















. * 















































* 

m 
















* 




































































+ • ' 


*. 



































































































j 


















♦ % 






















* 

















































